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I had so much fun writing this story, learning about the formation of New Brunswick. I even traveled there to visit the sites I wrote about. I hope you enjoy it, too.
In this excerpt, Gilbert is teaching Amelia how to fire a pistol.
Mademoiselle Latimer and her maid waited in the once tall grass, now matted down by frost. Both of them were wrapped in capes, their hoods pulled up. The girl held the wooden box the pistol came in.
Gilbert dismounted and approached them. “Bonjour, ladies.” He tipped his hat.
“Good day to you, Mr. Arsenault.” Mademoiselle Latimer smiled and pulled the pistol from her muff. “I thought I’d put the Muff Pistol to its original purpose.”
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| Flintlock Pistol |
He chuckled, happy to be in her company, though disturbed that she had this tug on him. He took and examined the small gun, then got right to business. “First, let me show you the trigger mechanism. This lever is called the sear and the trigger lowers from here. Engage the sear to keep the trigger in half-cock. That will keep the pistol from going off unexpectedly.” He caught her eager face, then stared at the weapon again. “When you’re ready to shoot, you pull to full cock and the hammer forces the trigger down. The sear and trigger are locked together, and pulling the trigger releases the sear. Now the pistol will fire.”
He fingered the metal pieces gently as he glanced up. “No one has loaded this, have they?” At her head shake, he pointed the barrel at the woods and pulled the trigger. The gun clicked. He handed the pistol to her. “You try it, and always treat the pistol with caution.”
She didn’t hesitate, which impressed him. Arm extended, she pulled the trigger.
“Bon. Now we’ll load it. Observe closely.” Gilbert went to the maid, and took the box, which contained balls, flints, a powder flask, and cleaning rod. The girl smiled, as if relieved to be rid of her burden.
Laverty Falls in New Brunswick
Setting the box on the ground, he crouched, unscrewed the pistol barrel, and inserted only seven grains of the acrid powder into a chamber behind the threads. He placed a ball over the powder. “Now I very gently re-screw the barrel. If any powder residue is left on the threads, the stuff could ignite and the gun may explode. So clean these threads with a cloth after each use.”
“Oh, my, that does sound dangerous. But pistols aren’t toys, are they?” Mademoiselle Latimer rubbed her gloved hands together. The cold pinked her cheeks attractively. “I don’t know how many people or beasts I’ll have the need to shoot, yet.”
“Be aware, this little gun won’t stop a large animal, though the noise might.” Gilbert hid his amusement, half-cocked the weapon and stood. “Please make certain you clean this pistol, care for it diligently, so you don’t get hurt.” This time instead of handing her the gun, he stepped behind her, put his arms around her and pressed her finger on the trigger. She felt warm against his body. Her hair smelled flowery. “Use both hands and be prepared for a slight kick-back.”
She quivered under his touch. “All right. I’m ready.” Her voice trembled, then she straightened her arms and pulled the trigger. Smoke puffed out and the bang echoed around them.
She didn’t hesitate, which impressed him. Arm extended, she pulled the trigger.
“Bon. Now we’ll load it. Observe closely.” Gilbert went to the maid, and took the box, which contained balls, flints, a powder flask, and cleaning rod. The girl smiled, as if relieved to be rid of her burden.
Laverty Falls in New Brunswick
Setting the box on the ground, he crouched, unscrewed the pistol barrel, and inserted only seven grains of the acrid powder into a chamber behind the threads. He placed a ball over the powder. “Now I very gently re-screw the barrel. If any powder residue is left on the threads, the stuff could ignite and the gun may explode. So clean these threads with a cloth after each use.”
“Oh, my, that does sound dangerous. But pistols aren’t toys, are they?” Mademoiselle Latimer rubbed her gloved hands together. The cold pinked her cheeks attractively. “I don’t know how many people or beasts I’ll have the need to shoot, yet.”
“Be aware, this little gun won’t stop a large animal, though the noise might.” Gilbert hid his amusement, half-cocked the weapon and stood. “Please make certain you clean this pistol, care for it diligently, so you don’t get hurt.” This time instead of handing her the gun, he stepped behind her, put his arms around her and pressed her finger on the trigger. She felt warm against his body. Her hair smelled flowery. “Use both hands and be prepared for a slight kick-back.”
She quivered under his touch. “All right. I’m ready.” Her voice trembled, then she straightened her arms and pulled the trigger. Smoke puffed out and the bang echoed around them.
The maid had crushed her hands over her ears. Mademoiselle Latimer gasped and slipped back, deeper into his arms. Gilbert released her as a heated thrill wriggled through him. He shouldn’t have held her, but he’d meant it for support—hadn’t he? Or was it much more?
Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her naughty dachshund.
Interesting excerpt.
ReplyDeleteLovely excerpt. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete